ISL: Asish Rai set to join ATK Mohun Bagan

ATK Mohun Bagan are really close to signing the 23-year-old right-back Asish Rai, who played a crucial role for Hyderabad FC to win their first ISL title in the last season (2021/22).

According to some media reports, the 28-year-old experienced right-back Prabir Das is set to leave ATK Mohun Bagan in the recent swap deal with Bengaluru FC, who will release the left-winger Ashique Kuruniyan to the Kolkata-based team.

While ATKMB need a good right-back in the squad, they are likely to add Asish Rai to their squad soon. According to a recent report of Football Monk, a confirmed source has informed them about  Asish’s upcoming move from the Hyderabad FC to ATK Mohun Bagan. According to the website, the transfer fee is likely to be more than one crore.

While Asish’s recent contract with the latest ISL playoffs winners will end in May 2023, ATKMB and two other ISL clubs were in the fight to welcome him into their squads before the new ISL season. But according to the latest progress, the Indian youth footballer will join the Mariners soon.

Who is Asish Rai?

Starting his youth career for Pune FC Academy, which was later changed to FC Pune City Academy, young Asish Rai also served for FC Pune City reserved team and the I-League club Indian Arrows (on loan).

In September 2019, Asish joined Hyderabad FC, where he has played three consecutive ISL seasons. The young right-back is improving really well as time progresses, and he also played key roles for his team in the last ISL season.

While Hyderabad FC finished in the second position in the league stage of the ISL 2021/22, they won the ISL title by winning the playoffs. Apart from finishing as the second joint-most assist provider for his team (3 assists) in that successful ISL season, Asish also finished as the second-best in tackles for the team (76 tackles) and third-best in interceptions for the Nizams.  

How can Asish Rai help ATK Mohun Bagan?

Asish is growing up as a strong footballer. He is now reliable in defence by improving in major key aspects as a defender. Moreover, he also enjoys building up team attacks. As the time progress, he is improving in passing accuracy and crosses which is helping to strengthen his confidence.